Wednesday letters

Wednesday

Aug 7, 2013 at 12:01 AM

On 'stand your ground'

Why are "stand your ground" laws relatively new? They came about to neutralize liberal court decisions, or liberal legislatures that had put the burden on the victims to flee and retreat. Folks who injured or killed criminal perpetrators were being prosecuted or sued. Even people in their own homes were being made examples of for defending themselves against criminal interlopers.

Some of these "stand your ground" statutes may be too broad, but the majority of legislators felt it appropriate to protect law-abiding citizens from having to hand over keys to carjackers, or run from their own homes rather than hurt the miscreants.

Paul Lutz

Sarasota

More on authors' group

The Jeff LaHurd article about the local writers' group was welcome, but omitted the fact that the group is still going strong after 50-plus years. The attendance figures remain unchanged: about four to five in the summer, 15 or more as the seasonal visitors arrive. We continue to meet weekly but one thing has changed -- there is not nearly as much noontime drinking as there was back then.

John Jakes

Sarasota

Wage/price escalation

What is it about the mention of a minimum wage increase that causes normally rational people to lose their senses?

It sounds great, everyone should make a "living wage." Here's the problem: Take a McDonald's Happy Meal, for instance. A raise in the minimum wage would cause the paper company to raise the cost of the box, the farmer to raise the price of his meat, potatoes or apples, and the trucking company to raise the delivery cost. Now the price of every single thing we buy is up, including the Happy Meal. Unemployment benefits rise so taxes increase. And guess what: That newly set living wage isn't a living wage anymore.

You cannot successfully legislate a living wage. A healthy free market will automatically adjust wages as the need for workers increases and there is competition for the workers' labors.

Gerald Manegold

North Port

Film subsidy helps

I am appalled that Gov. Rick Scott is taking credit for the jobs created on the movie "Dolphin Tale -- 2." Film subsidies, similar to those in Georgia and Louisiana, have put millions of dollars back into the economy and given jobs to thousands of Floridians.

Frank Cerabino's column in the Herald-Tribune states that it should be obvious that "Dolphin Tale" must be shot in Clearwater. He does not understand that filmmakers can create magic when it comes to locations. Example: "Cold Mountain" (a North Carolina Civil War story) shot in Romania; "Chicago" was shot in Canada.

As for the dollars coming out of the Families First budget, most of the people working on the movie are our family members! And the millions of dollars spent in Florida by the motion picture production far exceed the incentives spent to lure the film to Florida.

Scott and our legislators obviously must see the benefit of film subsidies. It just makes good business sense. Let's bring our film crews back from Georgia and Louisiana so they can spend their dollars here in Florida! Only then can the legislators take credit for the jobs these films create.

Michael St. Hilaire

Cameraman, "Dolphin Tale"

Longboat Key

Fact vs. opinion

I am now informed of the Augusta, Ga., Chronicle's editorial opinion of President Obama's favorite basketball move (the "pivot," Aug. 3 Herald-Tribune). Further, the opinion explains how this relates to his "too much talk/too little action" efforts regarding our economy. Or am I informed?

Where is the proof? The evidence? The facts? The writer provides well written words but "no beef." Am I informed, not to mention persuaded, without proof? And I don't mean another opinion by another highly paid left or right wing, editorialist/TV commentator/radio personality. I mean Sergeant Friday facts.

Back to the pivot. While in possession of the ball, the player can rotate on one foot in any direction. A basketball coach (my son) told me the play provides flexibility to pass or dribble depending on the pivoting player's observations.

Now, who wants a president to be so nimble that his actions provide him with flexibility to decide the best course of action/inaction the situation requires at any given moment? Wouldn't all informed citizens prefer the stick in the mud approach or perhaps the ostrich head-in-the-sand approach?

Your readership wants and deserves to be an informed citizenry. We pay you for that service. Please provide it.

Joseph R. DeCiantis

Venice

A prayer

Heavenly Father, I lift up to You the United States of America with a bold and unceasing request for blessings upon our families, a letting go of the past, victory over pride, and pleasing to You. May You guide our leaders toward listening, compromising, and wisdom to pull us together as united toward happiness and success for all. I pray that the upright shall dwell in our government, that men and women of integrity will drown out the treacherous. May the polarization of us be smoothed over, that understanding of each cause is guided by You. Father, provide for and protect the families of our armed forces, preserve marriages, and cause the hearts of parents to turn toward their children.